Cyberpunk Notes

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What | When | Who | Concepts | Central Themes |

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What is it-- Definition

• A form of science fiction developed in the mid-80's which envisions a near-future world dominated by information technology.
• Especially ways that tech is integrated into human body
• usually involves people on the lower end of society who are rebelling against authority. (Ciminals vs multi-national corporations)
  
• cyber + punk

• Generally seen to have started with the writings of William Gibson-- mid 80's.  Huge furor over Neuromancer (1983).  Seen as the new New Wave -- very well-written (too well-written according to some--precious stylistically)
• PRECURSORS
• Varley-- "Over-drawn at the Memory Bank"
• Brunner, SHOCKWAVE RIDER
  
• Philip K. Dick   BLADE RUNNER
  

• William Gibson,
  
• Bruce Sterling,
  
• Rudy Rucker,
  
• Greg Bear,
  
• Neal Stephenson,
  
• Pat Cadigan,
  
• Melissa Scott,
  
• Emily Davenport

• Virtual reality-- idea that intersecting data nets create cyberspace that people enter when they are on the computer.  Software interfaces become fully 3D
• Nanotechnology

• A society that is shaped by computers
• A central theme is the relationship between man and machine-- specifically, what makes us human as we interact and depend on machines at a more and more personal level
• cyborg is a central issue here-- humans become part machine
• switch from monolithic idea of computer as giant thing ruling us -- big machine where we run around like little fleas to idea of the PC.
• In CP we see software being transformed to wet ware-- interface between human brain and computer
• "punk" is rebellion against authority: big, multi-national corporations, big media, mafia (none of these being particular separate from each other)
• overtones of grunge-- everything dirty--kipplelized.  Since people live so much in virtual reality, real reality doesn't matter as much
• Question the future-- is this mechanization ultimately going to be a good thing?
• Extrapolation of information age r.t. atomic age.
• CP is in favor of freedom of information-- a common theme is the liberation of previously secret info.
• Increasing emphasis on bio-technology: surgical alterations etc. Scarring Piercing, weapons-enhancement.
• Romanticization of the criminal, underworld etc.
• Nano-tech
• As humans incorporate machines increasingly into their lives and bodies, machines move towards being human: AI.
• CP heros always really young
• Many heros are hackers; their guide figures are security guards, baody guards etc.
• Conventions of CP that have been taken up by popular media in the 90's (EX:  Freejack, The Matrix,  Strange Days)
• urban sprawl
• fascist authority-- state somwhat merged with multi-nationals, privact etc. gone
• everyone wears black all the time, preferably leather and dark glasses (because if the sun ever came out they couldn't take it)
• no indigenous cultures lefts-- everything one mega BIG MEDIA world culture
• information is the currecy of the age-- gangs fight over the latest apps
• wetware widely available, combined with drugs enables existence in virtual realities sometimes indistinquishable from REAL reality.  Can lead to all kinds of problem including computer viruses that kill people.
• Hazard signs-- directed against having our individuality undermined by thought control and BIG MEDIA
• Virtual reality-- idea that intersecting data nets create cyberspace that people enter when they are on the computer.  Software interfaces become fully 3D
• CULTURAL CONTIUUM OF CYBER_PUNK
• Anime
  

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Last update: 4/5/97